The Media Council of Kenya has launched a thorough audit of the coverage of the alleged police raid at former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s home.
The council, which is the statutory body regulating media practice in the country, wants media houses to avail raw videos and photographs of their coverage of the scene of the incident.
The Council said in a statement that it had written to several media houses including Royal Media Services, Nation Media and Standard Group asking them to avail the videos and pictures.
The council is also seeking comprehensive statements from the media houses on the coverage of the alleged raid, which was widely publicised on Wednesday night.
The government has denied sending its security agents to Matiang'i's home and also rubbished claims that an elite squad visited the ex-CS's home to arrest or harass him.
The state has challenged those with evidence to report to the police for investigations.
The council noted that the non-availability of the photos or videos of the incident had raised a serious moral and ethical question on the part of the media.
“Providing only statements by lawyers and allies of Dr Matiang’i on one side and denials by government officials the next day creates confusion as to who is speaking the truth,’ MCK said in a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo.
‘The situation may cause unnecessary tension between the media and the government and anxiety and confusion among Kenyans.”
The council said in the statement that it was concerned by the refusal by the media to provide actual footage or photos from such a highly publicised event yet they were at the scene.
The council said that the non-availability of photographs or videos from the alleged police raid, and denials by the government agencies alleged to have been involved presents a serious moral and ethical dilemma for the media.
“While carrying out its monitoring function on the evening of February 8, 2023, it came across your station’s coverage of the police raid. We request you to provide the council with actual footage collected by your crew at the scene and the identity of the editors/reporters who were sent there,” MCK said.
The Council said it will decide on the next course of action after the media houses respond to the information request.
“Providing this information will clarify the matter to the public,” MCK said.
It was widely reported on Wednesday night that police had raided Matiang'i's Karen home.
Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga was among key opposition leaders who visited the ex-CS's home to stand in solidarity with him and condemned the incident.